Multiformat film cassette transport

Abstract

A sheet of film, for use in recording the results of non-invasive medical tests, is indexed relative to a lens and shutter assembly to permit the serial formation of multiple images on the film. The indexing is accomplished through the use of a transport mechanism which may be independently moved in two mutually transverse directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A transport mechanism for a recording medium comprising: means for receiving and holding a recording medium;   means supporting said receiving means for linear motion in a first direction;   means mounting said supporting means for linear motion in a second direction transverse to said first direction;   a first stationary drive motor;   drive belt means, said drive belt means being affixed to said receiving means;   idler means for supporting said drive belt means at a point displaced in a first direction beyond a first limit of motion of said receiving means, said idler means being mounted from said supporting means for movement therewith;   means for engaging and driving said drive belt means;   a rotatable spline shaft, said spline shaft being driven by said first stationary motor, said drive belt means engaging means being mounted on said spline shaft for rotation therewith, said engaging means also being moveable in said second direction on said spline shaft;   means supporting said spline shaft at points displaced in said second direction beyond the opposite limits of motion of said supporting means in said second direction; and   means including a second stationary motor for imparting motion to said supporting means in the second direction independently of movement of said receiving means in said first direction.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises: a first pair of parallel guide rods; and   first bearing means mounted on said rods of said first pair for movement along said rods, said receiving means being affixed to said first bearing means whereby said receiving means is supported from and slidable with respect to said first rods and said first guide rods are coupled together by said bearing means and said receiving means.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises: a second pair of parallel guide rods;   means for supporting the guide rods of said second pair adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the guide rods of said second pair being respectively fixedly positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said guide rods of said first pair; and   second bearing means coupling each of the ends of the guide rods of said first pair to a guide rod of the second pair, the guide rods of said first pair being slidable as a unit along the guide rods of said second pair on said second bearing means.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for imparting motion to said supporting means in the second direction comprises: screw means, said screw means being rotatably supported parallel to one of the guide rods of said second pair;   said second stationary motor imparting rotation to said screw means;   nut means, said nut means travelling on said screw means in response to rotation thereof by said second motor, said nut means being affixed to one of said second bearing means whereby the motion of said nut means will be delivered to said first guide rods via the said one of said second bearing means.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises: follower means mounted on said spline shaft; and   sprocket means affixed to said follower means.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: rotation sensor means coupled to said screw means and said spline shaft, said rotation sensor means each including an encoder member rotatable with each of said screw means and spline shaft, said rotation sensor means further comprising means for sensing rotation of said screw and shaft mounted encoder members.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: bearing means for coupling said spline shaft follower means to said first bearing means whereby said follower means will move along said spline shaft when said first bearing means moves on the guide rods of said first pair.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means supports a photographic film holder and said receiving means defines a window through which film in said holder may be exposed, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: a base plate, said mounting means being affixed to said base plate, said base plate defining an aperture smaller in size than said receiving means window, said receiving means being moved relative to said base plate aperture by said motion imparting means to permit serial exposure of portions of the film in said holder.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said receiving means supports a photographic film holder and said receiving means defines a window through which the film in said holder may be exposed, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: a base plate, said means for supporting said guide rods of said second pair being affixed to said base plate, said base plate defining an aperture smaller in size than said receiving means window, said receiving means being moved relative to said base plate aperture by said first and second stationary motors to permit serial exposure of portions of the film in said holder.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said receiving means supports a photographic film holder and said receiving means defines a window through which the film in said holder may be exposed, and wherein said apparatus further comprises: a base plate, said means for supporting said guide rods of said second pair being affixed to said base plate, said base plate defining an aperture smaller in size than said receiving means window, said receiving means being moved relative to said base plate aperture by said first and second stationary motors to permit serial exposure of portions of the film in said holder.   
     
     
       11. A transport mechanism for a recording medium comprising: a film cassette holder, said holder having an access opening in a first side thereof;   frame means extending about said holder adjacent to said access opening;   guide bearing means affixed to and extending from said holder;   means engaging said guide bearing means for supporting said holder for linear motion in a first direction;   means mounting said supporting means for linear motion in a second direction transverse to said first direction;   means including a first stationary motor for imparting motion to said holder in said first direction independent of movement of said supporting means in said second direction; and   means including a second stationary motor for imparting motion to said supporting means in said second direction independently of movement of said holder in said first direction;   housing means, said holder and said supporting, mounting and motion imparting means being positioned within said housing means, said housing means including: plate means for cooperating with said frame means to establish a light-tight seal about said holder access opening; and   means defining a guide slot adjacent said plate means, said guide bearing means being received in said guide slot to establish said light-tight seal.